Today marks Zia Nabavi's 29th birthday. This is the fourth consecutive birthday the university student activist is spending in prison. He was arrested at a relative's house on June 15, 2009, following his participation in a peaceful post-election protest. He's been trapped in prison since then.

Tonight the people in Iran and Iranians around the world celebrate Chaharshanbe Soori -- the celebration of spring and new life. The people have headed to the streets -- albeit as discreetly as possible. Already there are reports of arrests of people who were playing their music "too loud" in their cars. Last year the Iranian regime also beat some people to a pulp until they died.

The crucial question at this moment is not whether to bomb or not to bomb Iran, but how should the architecture behind a regime change without military intervention look? It's starts with toughest economic sanctions and it ends with a diplomatic boycott -- and it is strengthened by more heavy sanctions.